The UAE has made great progress to become one of the most economically and socially competitive nations in the world, it has been claimed.

Speaking at a meeting of senior government officials, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, said that such progress should also serve as an incentive for greater accomplishments in the future, the Khaleej Times reported.

During the meeting, Shaikh Mohammed was given a presentation by Abdullah Lootah, secretary-general of the Emirates Competitiveness Council, which pointed to the UAE's measures to increase its competitiveness including the mobilisation of human resources, improvements to health services and education and the building of a national economy rooted in knowledge and creativity.

"Shaikh Mohammed called upon public and local institutions to improve their performance, set development plans and activate initiatives," observed the news provider.

This week, the 'Global Snapshot' report from the international recruitment firm Antal also revealed that hiring levels in the professional and managerial sector of the Gulf region are seeing a strong resurgence.